War Against SGBV: AWLAN Demands Tough VAPP Law Enforcement In Enugu State

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

In a major move to eradicate sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLAN), Enugu State Chapter, has demanded maximum enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Enugu State.

The AWLAN made the demand on Tuesday when the executive members of the association, led by the State Coordinator, Chidi Grace Obeke, paid a courtesy call to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, at the Command Headquarters in Enugu.

Accompanying the State Coordinator to the Enugu State Command was the Secretary of the AWLAN, Sylvia Abana, alongside other key executive members.

Obeke commended the giant strides of the Police Commissioner in maintaining peace, security, and public safety across the state.

Recognising the Command’s progressive stance on gender inclusivity, AWLAN lauded the Enugu CP’s deep passion for gender equality, specially commending him for his visionary approach in appointing a woman, DCP Hope Isiani, to head the highly sensitive office of the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID).

To institutionalize the protection of women and children, AWLAN formally requested an aggressive, front-line partnership with the Nigeria Police Force.

According to AWLAN, the proposed framework targets a swift, fast-paced handling of all SGBV cases in the state, alongside an unprecedented biannual audit of gender-based violence cases handled by the association to ensure accountability and airtight prosecution under the VAPP law.

Responding, Giwa reiterated his deep personal passion for gender issues and declared a strict policy of zero tolerance for gender-based violations in Enugu State.

The Enugu CP also assured the delegation that under his watch, any case of SGBV brought before the Command will be severely, professionally, and handled with utmost dispatch.